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'I got a call Monday night, he asked me if I would be prepared to be a character reference for him because the lawyers running the case said they thought it would be useful to have some,' Aly said.

'I thought about it that night, I wrote it, sent it to them, that was the end of my involvement.

He also defended a character reference as standard practice in courts.

'He delivers some of the most powerful and constructive messages that any athlete in recent times has been seen to offer young minds,' Mr Aly had said

On Wednesday night's episode of the Channel 10 program, Aly said he had been asked to provide a character reference for Houli on Monday evening

The Prime Minister had on Monday caught up with Houli during AFL Eid Celebrations at Richmond's Punt Road Oval, hosted by the Bachar Houli Cup and leadership program

'This is not an uncommon thing,' he said in response to an emailed question from co-host Peter Hellier.

'You do get character references in courts all the time. That is a really common thing.'

Aly added: 'The tribunals are based on a court. These are the rules that they have had in place.

'They have used them before, I think, in tribunal settings. It is not like this was something that was dreamed up by Richmond or by the lawyers or anything like that. It is a standard procedure.'

'It's very hard to think of a better example of the strength and resilience of our great multicultural society than the work that Bachar Houli does,' Mr Turnbull said in remarks put forward by the club's counsel.

The Prime Minister had on Monday caught up with Houli during AFL Eid Celebrations at Richmond's Punt Road Oval, hosted by the Bachar Houli Cup and leadership program.

'It's very hard to think of a better example of the strength and resilience of our great multicultural society than the work that Bachar Houli does,' Mr Turnbull said in remarks put forward by the club's counsel

'I got a call Monday night, he asked me if I would be prepared to be a character reference for him because the lawyers running the case said they thought it would be useful to have some,' Aly said

The Age reported the tribunal, who handed down the two-week suspension, had said: 'It is very rare that we come across an example of such a fine character... and on that basis it's a two week penalty'.

Houli reportedly was 'shocked' at the intentional striking accusation.

'It's something I have never ever done in my life and something I would never ever do. Its part of my practice in my religion. I am a peaceful person,' he said.

Houli was forced to front the tribunal following the off-the ball incident during the Tigers and Blues match at the MCG on Sunday, where he lashed out at Lamb with his left arm.

Lamb was left unconscious following the incident and took no further part in the match.